Vibe/layout: Anchored by a ship length communal table, RedFarm is a bright and cozy 82-seater filled with modern farmhouse decor. The easygoing space also features booth seating and a full bar in the rear. Although the bathrooms, and specifically the futuristic Japanese toilets, are a talking point (I mean the lid automatically opens when diners open the bathroom door), the dishes still take center stage. I must note that if I were Ed Schoenfeld, the owner, I would be as proud of the cuisine as I was of the bathrooms.

Why it’s worth it:Good Enough to Eat (GETE) is the perfect brunch spot for a family outing on the UWS before exploring the American Museum of Natural History or spending the afternoon in Central Park. The atmosphere is fun and loving and the American comfort food menu is expansive.

Vibe/layout: GETE rocks that small country kitchen feel, with exposed brick and wooden tables, chairs and shelving, filled with random tchotchkes, Vermont farm paraphernalia and children’s drawings. The rustic farmhouse decor is warm and welcoming and GETE has all sorts of seating options, including booths, breakfast nooks, bar seating and outdoor seating.

Ideal meal: Good Enough to Eat French Toast ($10.75)…Did we mention that they make their French toast with cinnamon swirl bread (a third-grader’s dream)?! Also, don’t miss the buttermilk biscuits and luscious strawberry butter, which come with an eggs dish!

F.Y.I.: You can’t miss GETE’s cow theme…so be sure to notice the portraits of cows in the restrooms, Angus Warhol and Henri Mootisse.

Why it’s worth it: If you’re craving Italian on the UWS, Pappardella is a great, consistent, classy, family spot. I’m not usually an eggplant gal, but Pappardella’s eggplant was melt-in-your-mouth delicious!

Vibe/Layout: This open and charming ‘straunt features twenty-foot ceilings, French doors and a beautiful mural of Florence. White table cloths and wooden chairs are only background details to the fresh homemade pasta that will blind side you.

Because Steve Aoki loves cake, and in honor of his announcement of a free concert on September 30th in NYC, we wanted to share the spot that served us the best piece of cake in all of NYC… Momofuku Milk Bar.

Why it’s worth it: Take one bite of the crack or candy bar pie and it’s love at first bite.

Why it’s worth it: If you’re looking for a satisfying, familiar and affordable spot on the Upper West Side for a meal, The Ellington is your answer. The menu is a mash-up of classic British and American bar food and is truly enjoyable.

Vibe/Layout: “You’ve got to find some way of saying it without saying it,” reads a Duke (as in Ellington) quote on the wall, and the space communicates an unassuming warmth through its wooden chairs and “country kitchen” paneling. The 60-seat den includes a 12-seat bar and carries a rustic feel with whitewashed barnwood walls, oxidized tin ceilings and large antique mirrors. The floor-to-ceiling windows open in warm weather, making this a go-to spot in the spring and summer.

If you have a large, loud and fun group of people who are looking for a delicious American ‘straunt, look no further than The Smith!

Why it’s worth it: The Smith is perfect for large groups or birthday parties; this ‘straunt serves classic American food in a relaxed, yet trendy setting.

Vibe: The decor is awesome, black-and-white with vintage twists. White subway tiles and black-and-white photos of Victorian nudes line the walls.

Layout: There’s a spacious and lively bar to hang at while you wait for your table or to grab a drink. Beyond the bar is a big and full open dining room with an assortment of tables (circular, rectangular, booths).

Ideal meal: Mac + cheese ($14), ricotta gnocchi ($18) or salmon ($23)

F.Y.I.: In 2007, the first outpost of The Smith in the East Village opened and after immediate success, two more locations of The Smith were opened, in Midtown (2011) and Lincoln Center (2012). A fourth location of The Smith is planned to open in 2014 in NoMad.

People behind: Glenn Harris and Jeffrey Lefcourt, owners of The Smith, also own the Jane.

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If you’re on the UWS (perhaps checking out the Museum of Natural History), head to Jacob’s Pickles. The menu is large and the dishes are massive… therefore, it’s best to adopt a go-big-or-go-home approach!

Vibe: A large, fun and laid back spot that feels very intimate because of the dim lighting and candles. The walls are covered with beer jugs and bottles and rustic artwork. Definitely can’t forget to mention that the music selection is stellar!

There’s a “Take-Home” section at the front of the ‘straunt where customers can stop in to purchase growlers of beer, jars of pickles and preserves, and bags of biscuits

People behind Jacob’s Pickles: Jacob Hadjigeorgis is a born-and-raised New Yorker, who spent a semester abroad in the Czech Republic, and then opened Mmmac & Cheese, which is a go-to destination for comfort food in Boston’s Quincy Market.